THE PRICE IS RIGHT? MANY FRANCHISES RAISING TICKET PRICES

CELTICS: The Celtics will charge up to $125 for front-row
sideline seats at the new FleetCenter, according to a report in
this morning's BOSTON HERALD. It was believed the team's top
ticket price at the new facility would increase from $50 to $70
(Steve Bulpett, BOSTON HERALD, 5/24).
HEAT: The Heat have announced "across-the-board" ticket
price increases. This season's prices for season-ticket holders
ranged from a top price of $34 to $10.50. The new prices will be
$39, $26, $19 and $12. Tickets purchased for a single game will
also be $2 higher in all categories (Bob Rubin, MIAMI HERALD,
5/13).
NUGGETS: The team announced yesterday a ticket price
increase for all seats next year. The largest increases will be
seen in courtside seats, from $115 in '94-95 to $150 in '95-96;
and end courtside seats, from $85 in '94-95 to $115 in '95-96.
Lower- and upper-end balcony seats will see the smallest
increases. Lower-end balcony seats will rise from $12.50 during
'94-95 to $14.50 for '95-96. Upper-end balcony will go from
$8.50 to $9.50 in '95-96 (Nuggets).
MAVERICKS: Late last week, the Mavs announced across-the-
board ticket price increases for '95-96. The increases average
about $4 per ticket, but will not affect current season-ticket
holders who renew by June 16. According to GM Norm Sonju, even
with the increases, the team's new ticket prices are "below last
year's NBA average in every seating category" (Brad Townsend,
DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 5/20).
MIGHTY DUCKS: The team announced a revised season- ticket
policy for next season. Prices will increase by an average of
7.9% with an average price in the lower/upper bowl of $34.51 a
ticket (Mighty Ducks).
LIGHTNING: Club level seats that cost $36 last season are
being raised to $38. Tickets that were $30 last season are now
$33, and $21 tickets are $24.50. Reserved upper-deck ($12) and
general admission ($9.99) seats "may rise as well." Ice-level
seats of $52 and $36 will stay the same and none of the changes
will affect season tickets (Tom Jones, TAMPA TRIBUNE, 5/13).
EAGLES: In Philadelphia, the Eagles are offering ticket
packages next season to attract new paying customers. But unlike
the season-ticket packages, the three and four-game special packs
do not offer discounts. Tickets in the packs are still $40
apiece -- unlike the $20 price for each season ticket in the 700
level, where most seats are available (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER,
5/14).
LIONS: The Lions have reduced ticket prices for the 5,000
upper-level seats from $30 to $19.95. Lions Dir of Sales Fred
Otto: "With these new, more affordable ticket programs, I would
expect us to have the lowest average ticket price in the NFL this
year" (Lions).